Zachary T. Lee Acting United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia
A Tennessee man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to trafficking fentanyl-laced pills and powder into Southwest Virginia.
Jermaine Crayton Jr., 20, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Abingdon. He admitted to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, as well as one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl.
According to information from court documents, a law enforcement operation in August 2025 led investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, City of Bristol Virginia Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration to gather intelligence that Crayton was involved in distributing fentanyl-laced pills and powder. The investigation found that he had repeatedly transported large amounts of these substances into Smyth County for further distribution.
In August 2025, officers arranged a controlled purchase at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Bristol, Virginia. During this operation, Crayton sold 1,000 fentanyl pills and two ounces of fentanyl powder. After confirming his identity, law enforcement attempted to apprehend him. Crayton fled on foot and dropped several items while escaping, including bags containing pressed fentanyl pills and powder.
Authorities later determined that Crayton possessed a total of 2,372 fentanyl pills and nearly 59 grams of powdered fentanyl. The pills he distributed are known as “pressed” or “M30” pills; they resemble prescription oxycodone but often contain varying doses of fentanyl that can result in overdose or death.
Robert N. Tracci, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, and Ian Kaufmann, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Division announced the guilty plea.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies: the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Smyth County Sheriff’s Office, City of Bristol Virginia Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorney Whit Pierce is prosecuting the case.
